Lawmakers kill bill on school land deals

JACKSON – The Senate Education Committee killed legislation that would have prevented the Secretary of State’s office from having the authority to pre-approve leases local school boards enter into for their 16th Section land.

The blll had passed the House. Supporters say under the legislation the Secretary of State’s office still would have oversight authority of 16th Section leases. But if a school board followed existing state law then it could enter into the lease without obtaining prior approval from Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann.

Hosemann lobbied against the bill, saying it would be “a step backward” for the state in 16th Section land management.

The bill was tabled Thursday morning in the Senate Education Committee without a dissenting vote. That effectively kills the legislation.